December 7, 2008 at 4 pm Early Music at the Barn The Byron Colby Barn 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake, IL $15 per ticket. Children under 16 are free. To order tickets or for more information, call 847.543.1202.

“Old Christmas Returned” celebrates the return of holiday conviviality following the ban of such “excesses” by Oliver Cromwell during the English Commonwealth. Enjoy both the sacred and profane perspectives of the season through songs and instrumental music of the Renaissance and the Baroque, sung and played on historical instruments. “If you are not yet in the holiday mood, this concert is the right cure. It will also remind you what the season is all about.” [Marty Lash, Door County Advocate]

Acclaimed for its “imaginative” programming and “delicate, flawlessly-performed music”, the Chicago Early Music Consort recreates the rich and diverse sounds of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and early Baroque chamber repertoire in an historically-informed manner. The Consort appears throughout the Midwest and has performed live on Chicago’s premiere fine arts station, 98.7WFMT. Programs are built around interesting historical and social themes to which modern audiences can easily relate. For more information, visit www.ChicagoEarlyMusicConsort.org.